The latest patch for the Natural Selection 2 Beta is now available on Steam. If you have pre-ordered the game it should automatically update on Steam. If you would like to pre-order and get instant access to the beta, you can still do so here.

In addition to the features demonstrated in the latest video there are a large number of bug fixes and other improvements in this build. The complete change log is listed below. We'd like to extend a special thank you to all of the community members who have made contributions that are included in the patch; with such a small development team it's super helpful to have this outside help. Please keep it up!

Build 163 changelogMajor changes

New ns2_tram ready room

Added dynamic infestation prototype

Added Alien dark vision mode

Improved Grenade Launcher animations and ammo display

New commander selection panel GUI

Added a "give damage" indicator to the crosshair GUI so you can see when you damage something

Fixed difficulty in moving up stairs

Add whip walking

New on fire particle effects

All new Gorge particle effects

Added sentry guides when placing them

Fixed game alerts and countdown/victory/etc. sounds

Other changes

Added new decal system

Alien players now only regenerate on infestation

Gorges can now create infestation with their spray weapon. It lasts 2 minutes and then shrinks away

Infestation is required for all alien structures except hives

Alien structures generate a little infestation for effect

Marine structures cannot be built on infestation

Alien structures that require infestation now take damage when they're not on it

Clear flames and other game effects when logging into the command station

Fixed bug where it was legal to evolve to the lifeform you already were

Increased power point blackness time from 5 to 10 seconds now that aliens have a vision mode

Added squishy footsteps when on infestation

Modified the NS2 scoreboard to look more like the one in NS1. It now shows the current primary weapon for marines, the current lifeform for aliens and who is dead (thanks Raza)

Fixed bug where there was a long delay between using alien abilities

Slowed down skulks by 10% and marine sprint by 4% to try to make game a bit more accessible

Fixed bug where a Gorge could evolve into a Gorge

Fixed bug where the game would hang when changing the level

Fixed bug where grenades sometimes collide with player before launching

Fixed player not being able to show the minimap while dead or sprinting

Fixed bug where the skin width wasn't properly taken into account for sweeping shapes in the collision scene

Fixed bug where heal spray would not do damage unless the enemy had less than full health

Fixed bug where using heal spray to get an enemy down to 0 health would make them invincible

Disabled ladders until they are improved

New Fade Blink view model animations added

You can always keep up to date with what we're working on for the next patch with our real-time progress tracker.
We recently launched the official Steam group for Natural Selection 2. If you'd like to show your support for NS2 and join the group, you can do so at: Steamcommunity.com.

Yeah, zerg totally weren't based off of the Tyranids from Game Workshop's WH40K or anything. And lord knows, James Cameron used his time machine to go into the past and tell himself to make the Alien series because of Blizzard.